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For our weekly catch-up with the Labour Party, Wire Host spoke to Shanan Halbert about the Palestine protests in Taamaki Makaurau and the new national land transport programme.

Earlier this week, the government announced it would raise the International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy from $35 to $100, starting October 1st. 

The policy has been met with criticism, with the Ministry of Business Innovation and Employment among others saying the implementation of this increase to $100 could be a deterrent for visitors. 

Producer Sofia spoke to Associate Professor at the University of Otago Department of Tourism, Julia Albrecht, about this announcement and how it might impact tourism in Aotearoa New Zealand.

She started the interview asking her what the International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy is.

Earlier this week, in response to councillor feedback, Mayor Wayne Brown announced a new committee structure for Auckland Council and made changes to the Auckland Transport Board.

This restructuring intends to streamline decision-making and put Council’s focus on delivering the new Long-term Plan. 

Additionally, the decision on a proposal to move rubbish bin collection to a fortnightly service could be decided next month. 

The proposal is part of Council’s Waste Management and Minimisation Plan to reduce waste and carbon emissions.

Producer Sofia asked Councillor Shane Henderson about both of these topics as well as what the newly announced National Land Transport Programme means for Auckland.

The UK government has decided to suspend its exports of parts for fighter jets, helicopters and drones to Israel, saying there is a clear risk the equipment could be used to commit serious violations of international law.

In response, Palestine Solidarity Network Aotearoa has renewed its calls for the New Zealand government to suspend exports of Rakon bomb components to the US for the bombs it sends to Gaza.

This comes as over 40,000 Palestinian people, including over 16,000 children, have been killed in Israel’s war on Gaza since October 7th. 

Producer Sofia spoke to the National Chair of Palestine Solidarity Network Aotearoa, John Minto, about the UK government suspending arms shipments, whether Aotearoa New Zealand should follow its lead, and the New Zealand government’s response. 

She started the interview asking why the UK has suspended its arms shipments to Israel.

Mokotron is in the studio with Eli to chat about the lead single ŌHĀKĪ and associated video from forthcoming record WAEREA out digitally and on vinyl via Sunreturn on December 5. Whakarongo mai nei!

The government recently announced its New National Land Transport Plan for 2024- 2027. The plan would consist of a $32.9 billion package, largely going towards the development of new roads, many of which are part of the Roads of National Significance programme, as well as maintaining and repairing existing highways and improving public transport in Aotearoa’s major cities.

Based on the it's large expenditure on road and highway development, the Greens issued statements calling out the plan for increasing car dependency and the potential for greater emissions shortly after it was announced. 

For our weekly catchup, Oto spoke to Green Party MP Ricardo Menendez-March about the party’s take on the National Land Transport plan. 

They also had a chat about the Ministry of Education removing information on previous iterations of charter schools from their website, as well as the party’s nomination for bird of the year and why it’s important.

The 95bFM Top Ten counts down the best tunes from the bFM playlist as chosen by you! Ft. no Smashton on his birthday :( 

Following a call of urgent action from energy minister Simeon Brown and the coalition government, the government intends to reverse the ban on oil and gas exploration beyond onshore Taranaki. 

This decision comes after Simeon Brown declared New Zealand to have an energy shortage, leading to the highest wholesale electricity prices of comparable countries. At the same time however, there has been a continual increase in solar panel power which may solve New Zealand’s energy crisis.

Sasha spoke to Professor Barry Barton from the University of Waikato about the governments’ intention to remove the oil and gas exploration ban.

New Zealanders continue to protest Israel’s attacks on Gaza and on Israel’s illegal occupation of West-Bank, mainstream New Zealand media continue a narrative of double standards.

A recent report made by TVNZ, presented the Israeli military operation on the illegally-occupied West Bank. The report focused on Israeli narratives, justification and propaganda, with nothing coming from the Palestinian side to put such an issue into perspective. TVNZ presented an inversion of the truth.

I spoke to John Minto of the Palestine Solidarity Network Aotearoa about appalling mainstream media reporting on Palestine, as well as the government’s silence on the issue and a justification for the ongoing rallies.